Free Blood Relics (A James Acton Thriller, #12) by J Robert Kennedy

do to another, you can be forgiven for wondering how any god
could allow it to happen.”
    “Perhaps
the best thing any god could do would be to let men fail individually so that
man can learn collectively from their mistakes.”
    Acton
squeezed his wife’s hand, her words as usual inspiring. “This entire discussion
is irrelevant. We’ve got someone who obviously believes in the healing
properties stealing these artifacts and killing if necessary—”
    “Though
I hardly see how killing an elderly priest was necessary,” interjected Laura.
    “Agreed.
Even if you identify who they might be from the security footage that doesn’t
mean you’ll catch them. Not only do we need to stop them from steeling
additional relics, we need to recover what was stolen.”
    “I have
a feeling the security footage won’t lead anywhere,” said Reading. “They didn’t
seem to be too concerned about having their faces on camera.”
    “Does
that suggest anything to you?” asked Giasson.
    “That
either they’re so well known that it doesn’t matter—they haven’t been caught
yet, so why would that change? Or they’re completely new and only intend to be
active for a short period of time before disappearing underground.”
    “Or,
they’re so well protected, even if we caught them it wouldn’t matter.”
    Reading
grunted at Acton’s suggestion. “It wouldn’t be the first time. And if it
weren’t for the murder, the entire thing could get swept under the rug if it
were some billionaire’s son getting his kicks. But as it is…”
    “Well, I
think our course of action is clear,” said Acton as they pulled through the
gates of The Vatican.
    “What’s
that?” asked Giasson.
    Laura
smiled. “We go to the one place irresistible to any Blood Relic hunter.”
    Reading’s
eyebrows slowly climbed his forehead. “Where’s that?”
    Acton
and Laura answered in unison.
    “Paris.”
     
     
     
     

 
     

     
     
    Roman Barracks, Jerusalem, Judea
April 10 th , 30 AD
     
    “Longinus!”
    Longinus
turned to see his commander, Vitus, enter the barracks. He looked concerned,
almost scared. “What is it?”
    Vitus
stepped inside, looking around to see who might be listening. Albus rose from
his bunk, as did the others who had been witness to the resurrection, they
having spent most of their off-duty hours together, talking of the miracles
they had witnessed.
    “They’ve
ordered your death!” hissed Vitus.
    “Who?”
asked Albus, standing beside Longinus, placing a protective hand on his
friend’s shoulder.
    “The rabbis!
I don’t know what you did, but you have to get out of here, now!”
    Longinus’
eyes opened wide in surprise. “Desert?”
    Albus gasped.
“Desertion means the death penalty if he’s ever caught!”
    “He’s
dead if he stays here,” replied Vitus. He looked over his shoulder, leaning
into the tight group of soldiers. “If anyone asks, I sent you on a forced march
outside the city walls. Punishment for insubordination. No one will miss you
until tomorrow.”
    “I’m
going with you,” said Albus.
    “And I!”
echoed the others.
    Vitus
frowned, but nodded. “I understand. But you must go now .” He held out
his hand and Longinus grabbed his forearm, squeezing tightly. “Good luck, and
may I never see any of you again.”
    “Thank
you, my friend.”
    Vitus
gave a final squeeze then let go, turning on his heel and leaving the barracks.
Albus looked at his friend. “Where will we go?”
    “I have
an idea on that,” replied Longinus as he began to put on his armor. “We know
where his family is staying. I say we find them and seek their help. They did
ask us to join them.”
    “That’s
right,” said Severus. “And he had thousands of followers. Maybe some of them
can help us.”
    “It’s
our only hope.” Longinus helped Albus with his armor. “We’ll join the followers
of this teacher and learn his ways.”
    He
grabbed his spear, eyeing the still bloodstained tip.
    “Let’s
go